Valmiki Ramayana 2.9.38: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 38
मन्थराप्रेरणा · वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
कुब्जे त्वां नाभिजानामि श्रेष्ठां श्रेष्ठाभिथायिनीम् ॥३८॥
पृथिव्यामसि कुब्जानामुत्तमा बुद्धिनिश्चये ।
kubje tvāṁ nābhijānāmi śreṣṭhāṁ śreṣṭhābhidhāyinīm ||38||
pṛthivyām asi kubjānām uttamā buddhi-niścaye |
ఓ కుబ్జే! నీవు ఇంత శ్రేష్ఠురాలివని—ఉత్తమ ఉపదేశం పలికే వనితవని—నేను ఎరుగలేదు. ఈ భూమిలో కుబ్జులలో బుద్ధి-నిశ్చయంలో నీవే ఉత్తమురాలివి.
(She said) O hunchback, I never knew that you can speak such excellent words or decide things intelligently. You are the best among the hunchbacks of this world.
FAQs
The verse illustrates how misplaced praise can validate unethical advice. Dharma requires testing counsel against truth and justice, not against personal liking or novelty.
Having been persuaded, Kaikeyī begins to admire Mantharā’s counsel and openly commends her.
The virtue at stake is discernment in choosing advisers; Kaikeyī’s admiration shows a lapse in evaluating counsel by dharmic standards.
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